The 1st Annual Steve Ferrero Memorial was held at the Dean of Chess Academy this Sunday in Branchburg, NJ. 45 players competed including 1 GM, 2 IM's, 7 and other masters. The tournament was won by GM Magesh Panchanathan and NM Peter Minear with 3.5/4.

Steve Ferrero was one of the most active chess players in the country for decades. Steve was the first member of the Dean of Chess Academy in 2007, an active supporter of chess, and one of the most enthusiast chess players. Steve passed away suddenly in September 2013. Steve was a loyal gambit player and proponent of 1.b3. He spent most of the last few decades as an expert, never quite reaching master.

The tournament was also a fundraiser with all of the profits going Steve's favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Steve’s name. Steve’s long time girlfriend, Mary McCallion attended the start of the tournament received a check for $2020 from Taran and Roshan Idnani, two of the top 9 year old players in the country who had known Steve for most of their lives. They raised this money by making and selling bracelets around their neighborhood, school and chess events. The tournament raised almost another $1,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A special thank you goes out to out club members for their support and generosity.

Here is a nice technical win by IM Justin Sarkar, who was leading the event until the last round: